How to Create a Table
A Formatting Tutorial
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Provide Organization
• A table is an easy way to
provide data to readers in an
organized fashion.
• Readers appreciate a clean and
easy-to-read table.
• Tables can be messy and
unappealing when they are
done incorrectly.
• This tutorial will show you the
easy way to create a table using
Microsoft Word.
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The Unorganized Table
• Pressing Tab and the Space Bar will make it difficult to get words or
data lined up with each other.
• View your manuscript in Show Formatting Mode. If you see lines of
dots and arrows, your table was created incorrectly. A dot indicates
where you have hit the Space Bar. An arrow indicates where you
have pressed Tab.
• The data in an incorrectly created table will shift as the margins
change during production. Your table won’t look the way you
intended after publication.
• Creating a correct table in Microsoft Word can be easy!
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Creating the Organized Table
• Position your cursor at the insertion point where you want
the table to appear.
• Go to Table on the top toolbar. Click on Insert and Table.
• An Insert Table dialogue box will pop up. Here, you can
enter how many columns and rows you would like in the
table. Click Okay.
• An empty table will appear ready for you to type the data
and information needed.
• You can change the shape and size of your table by click
and dragging the line you wish to manipulate.
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Ready for the Book Publishers
• Don’t worry about what your correctly made table looks like in your
original manuscript. As long as it is done correctly and text is typed
into it, it will be finalized during production.
• Tables require extra time and attention to detail. See our Fee Schedule
or contact a representative to learn about table formatting fees.
• Congratulations! You are one step closer to self publishing your book!
If you have any questions, please contact an AuthorHouse representative at
888.519.5121 and we would be happy to assist you.
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